Updated October 2026
Gauley River National Recreation Area Weather by Month
Gauley River National Recreation Area is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 81°F and a low of 61°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 41°F and an average low of 21°F. July is the wettest month, with about 5.9 inches of precipitation.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 6.1 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Gauley River National Recreation Area can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
81°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
21°F avg low
Wettest month
Jul
5.9 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.6 h of daylight
Average weather at Gauley River by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F | 21°F | 3.5 in | 9.6 h |
| February | 44°F | 23°F | 3.1 in | 10.6 h |
| March | 52°F | 29°F | 4.3 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 65°F | 38°F | 4.2 in | 13.0 h |
| May | 72°F | 48°F | 5.3 in | 14.1 h |
| June | 78°F | 57°F | 5.2 in | 14.6 h |
| July | 81°F | 61°F | 5.9 in | 14.4 h |
| August | 80°F | 59°F | 4.2 in | 13.5 h |
| September | 76°F | 53°F | 3.8 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 65°F | 41°F | 3.3 in | 11.0 h |
| November | 54°F | 32°F | 3.3 in | 9.9 h |
| December | 45°F | 26°F | 3.9 in | 9.4 h |
| Year total | 50.0 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00468614, 6.1 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Gauley River is at that time of year.
Gauley River weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 41°F in January, between 45°F in December and 44°F in February, with average lows between 21°F and 26°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 10.5 inches of precipitation, about 21% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.4 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 52°F in March to 72°F in May, with average lows between 29°F and 48°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March. Together the three months average 13.8 inches of precipitation, about 28% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.1 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 81°F in July, between 78°F in June and 80°F in August, with average lows between 57°F and 61°F. Together the three months average 15.3 inches of precipitation, about 31% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.6 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 76°F in September to 54°F in November, with average lows between 32°F and 53°F. The average low is at or below freezing in November. Together the three months average 10.4 inches of precipitation, about 21% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 9.9 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Gauley River
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 38.21°N, 81.00°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Gauley River National Recreation Area →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.2× the visitors of the park's average month. September is the busiest month of the year and January the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Gauley River National Recreation Area. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Gauley River.
Where to stay near Gauley River
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Top-rated places to stay near Gauley River
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Gauley River National Recreation Area, with an average high of 81°F and an average low of 61°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 6.1 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Gauley River National Recreation Area, with an average low of 21°F and an average high of 41°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
July is the wettest month, with about 5.9 inches of precipitation. February is the driest, at about 3.1 inches. The station records about 50 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Gauley River National Recreation Area runs from about 9.4 hours a day in December to about 14.6 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
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Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00468614), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1993–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.